Dianthus ‘DDTRO15-0’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of  Dianthus  plant named ‘DDTRO15-0’ is disclosed, characterized by unique tri-color flowers of red-purple with a brighter red-purple blotch and light pink margins. Plants bloom for an extended period into the Summer and are hardy to USDA Zone 5. The new variety is a  Dianthus , typically produced as a garden or container plant.

Latin name of the genus and species: Dianthus hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘DDTRO15-0’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program. The new variety originated as the result of the crossing of the female parent, an unpatented, proprietary Dianthus referred to as ‘14-150-001’. and the pollen parent, a different unpatented proprietary Dianthus referred to as ‘14-123-001’. The crossing was made during July 2016 at a commercial greenhouse in Santa Paula, Calif. ‘DDTRO15-0’ was discovered and selected at a commercial greenhouse in Santa Paula, Calif., in Summer of 2017.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘DDTRO15-0’ was first performed in Santa Paula, Calif. at a research greenhouse by vegetative terminal cuttings in April of 2018. ‘DDTRO15-0’ has since produced several generations and has shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘DDTRO15-0’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, day length, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘DDTRO15-0’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘DDTRO15-0’ as a new and distinct Dianthus cultivar:

-   -   1. Unique tri-color flowers of red-purple with a brighter         red-purple blotch and light pink margins.     -   2. Day-length neutral flowering.     -   3. Suitability for both garden and container uses.     -   4. Extended bloom time into Summer months.     -   5. Hardy to USDA Zone 5.

PARENTAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DDTRO15-0’ are comparable to the seed parent in most horticultural characteristics; however, the new variety ‘DDTRO15-0’ differs in the following:

-   -   1. The new variety has flowers with a light pink marginal         coloration which the seed parent lacks.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DDTRO15-0’ are comparable to the pollen parent in most horticultural characteristics; however, the new variety ‘DDTRO15-0’ differs in the following:

-   -   1. The new variety produces red-purple tri-color flowers, the         pollen parent produces purple flowers.     -   2. Plants of the new variety are more compact than plants of the         pollen parent.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DDTRO15-0’ are comparable to the commercial Dianthus variety ‘DDTHP02-0’, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 28,102. The two Dianthus varieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics; however, the new variety ‘DDTRO15-0’ differs in the following:

-   -   1. The new variety produces tri-color flowers while this         comparator has solid pink flowers.     -   2. Foliage of the new variety is brighter green than foliage of         this comparator.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DDTRO15-0’ are comparable to the commercial Dianthus variety ‘DCACR08-0’, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 30,026. The two Dianthus varieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics; however, the new variety ‘DDTRO15-0’ differs in the following:

-   -   1. The new variety produces tri-color flowers while this         comparator has solid dark pink flowers.     -   2. Foliage of the new variety is brighter green than foliage of         this comparator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color typical plants of ‘DDTRO15-0’ in a greenhouse in Santa Paula, Calif. These plants are approximately 15 weeks old, grown in 6 inch pots. At the far right of FIG. 1 is another pot of the new variety, this pot is 10 inches with a plant of about 20 weeks of age.

FIG. 2 illustrates a close-up view of the flowers.

The photographs were taken using conventional techniques and although colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Colour Chart, 2007, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘DDTRO15-0’ plants in a commercial greenhouse in Santa Paula, Calif. Temperatures ranged from 10° C. to 29° C. night and day. No artificial light, photoperiodic treatments or chemical treatments were given to the plants. Natural light conditions were approximately 2500 to 4000 fc of light. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types.

-   Botanical classification: Dianthus hybrid ‘DDTRO15-0’.

PROPAGATION

-   Time to initiate roots: About 10 days at approximately 24° C. -   Time to produce a rooted cutting: About 18 days at 24 ° C. -   Root description: Fibrous roots, approximately 1 to 3 mm in     diameter, colored near Orange-White 159C.

PLANT

-   Age of plant described: Approximately 20 weeks from rooted cutting. -   Pot size: 6 inches. -   Plant type: Compact upright flowering perennial. -   Plant habit: Upright growing stems emerge basally. -   Plant spread: Approximately 32 cm. -   Height: Approximately 14 cm to top of flowering plane. Approximately     10 cm to top of foliar plane. -   Length plant stem: Average range 5 to 10 cm. -   Diameter of plant stem: Approximately 3 mm. -   Quantity stems: Approximately 40. -   Stem:     -   -   Color.—Near RHS Green 138A.         -   Texture.—Smooth. -   Internode length: 1.8 to 3.5 cm.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf:     -   -   Arrangement.—Opposite (in pairs).         -   Quantity.—Approximately 6 fully expanded per stem.         -   Average length.—3.5 to 4.1 cm.         -   Average width.—6 mm.         -   Shape of blade.—Linear.         -   Apex.—Acute.         -   Base.—Clasping.         -   Attachment.—Sessile.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Texture of top surface.—Smooth.         -   Texture of bottom surface.—Smooth.         -   Pubescence.—None.         -   Color.—Young foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 137A. Young             foliage under side: Near RHS Green 137C. Mature foliage             upper side: Near RHS Green 137A. Mature foliage under side:             Near RHS Green 137B.         -   Venation.—Type: Linear. Venation color upper side:             Indistinguishable from foliage. Venation color under side:             Indistinguishable from foliage.

FLOWER

-   Natural flowering season: Continuous flowering from Spring until     Fall. -   Inflorescence type and habit: Single occurring or umbel of 2 to 3     flowers. -   Flower longevity on plant: 2-3 weeks. -   Quantity of flowers: Approximately 50 to 70 flowers on a 20 week old     plant. -   Flowers persistent or self cleaning: Persistent. -   Fragrance: Very mild sweet scent. -   Inflorescence (umbel) size:     -   -   Diameter.—Approximately 7.0 cm.         -   Height.—Approximately 4.0 cm. -   Individual flower size:     -   -   Diameter.—Approximately 3.8 cm.         -   Length.—Approximately 3.2 cm. -   Petals     -   -   Petal arrangement.—Multiple whorl.         -   Shape.—Spatulate.         -   Base.—Attenuate.         -   Margin.—Serrated.         -   Apex.—Serrated.         -   Length.—2.0 cm.         -   Width.—1.5 cm.         -   Petal quantity.—Average range 15 to 20.         -   Texture.—Smooth all surfaces.         -   Aspect.—Reflexed back. -   Color:     -   -   When opening.—Upper surface: RHS Red-Purple 71D. 2             symmetrical, irregularly circular open(uncolored center)             center blotches colored near Red-Purple 59A. Base White             155A. Margin near Red-Purple 69C. Lower surface: RHS             Red-Purple N74C. Center Purple 75C, base White 155A.         -   Fully opened.—Upper surface: RHS Red-Purple 72C. 2             symmetrical, irregularly circular open center blotches             colored near Red-Purple 59A. Base White 155A. Margin near             Red-Purple 69D. Lower surface: RHS Red-Purple N74D. Center             Purple 75D, base White 155A.         -   Fading.—Upper surface: RHS Red-Purple N74B. 2 symmetrical,             irregularly circular open center blotches colored near             Red-Purple 59A. Base White 155A. Margin near Red-Purple 69D.             Lower surface: RHS Red-Purple N74D. Center Purple 75D, base             White 155A. -   Tube:     -   -   General description.—Tube consists of the elongated, unfused             base of the petals. Tube shape caused by a fused calyx.         -   Length.—1.8 cm.         -   Width.—0.8 cm.         -   Texture.—Smooth. -   Color:     -   -   Fully opened.—Inner surface: Near RHS Green 137B. Outer             surface: Near RHS Green 137B. -   Bud:     -   -   Shape.—Elongated cylinder.         -   Length.—Average 1.7 cm.         -   Diameter.—Average 0.9 cm.         -   Color.—Appearing petals colored near Red-Purple 73D. -   Sepals:     -   -   Quantity.—5.         -   Arrangement.—Fused tube.         -   Shape.—Cylindric.         -   Length.—1.5 cm.         -   Width.—0.5 cm.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Apex.—Acute.         -   Texture.—Smooth upper and lower surfaces.         -   Color.—Near RHS Green 137B. -   Bracteoles:     -   -   Shape.—Narrow Deltoid.         -   Quantity per flower.—5-6.         -   Length.—Approximately 5 to 8 mm.         -   Width.—Approximately 3 to 4 mm.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Texture.—Smooth.         -   Color.—Near RHS Green 137A. -   Peduncle:     -   -   Length.—Average 2.5 cm.         -   Diameter.—2.0 mm.         -   Color.—Near RHS Green 137A.         -   Orientation.—Upright.         -   Strength.—Moderate.         -   Texture.—Smooth.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Stamens:     -   -   Number.—6.         -   Filament.—Length: 2.0 cm. Color: RHS White N155B.         -   Anthers.—Shape: Oblong. Length: 2 mm. Color: RHS             Greyed-Yellow 160A. Pollen: Not observed. -   Pistil:     -   -   Number.—1.         -   Length.—Approximately 3.2 cm.         -   Style.—Number: 2. Length: Approximately 2.4 cm. Color: Near             RHS White N155B.         -   Stigma.—Length: about 0.5 mm. Shape: Linear, arching. Color:             Near RHS White N155B.         -   Ovary.—Shape: Oblong. Diameter: 0.5 cm. Length: 0.8 cm.             Color: Near RHS Yellow-Green N144D.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Seeds and fruits: Not observed to date. -   Disease/pest resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility to     the normal diseases and pests of Dianthus has been observed. Typical     diseases of Dianthus include: Alternaria dianthicola, Botrytis     cinerea, Erwinia chrysanthemi, Pseudomonas caryophylli, Fusarium     graminearum, Fusarium avenaceum, Fusarium culmorum and Rhizoctonia     solani, Typical pests include; various species of Thysanopthera,     various Aphis species, and various species of Tetranychus. -   Temperature tolerance: USDA zones 5 through 10 tolerant. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Dianthus plant named ‘DDTRO15-0’ as herein illustrated and described. 